Aerosol Measles Vaccine

Filed in archive Drugs, Vaccines and Therapeutics on October 21, 2009

© Dave Haygarth

Researchers have developed a new method for the delivery of measles vaccine that allows the patient to inhale a finely-powdered form of the vaccine. Attenuated measles virus was mixed with high-pressure carbon dioxide to produce microscopic bubbles and droplets, which are then gently dried to produce an inhalable powder. The aerosol vaccine has been shown effective in test animals, and human trials are expected to begin next year in India, where more than half of the world's measles cases occur.

Dr. Ohtake's study used a combination of mild spray drying process conditions and unique stabilizers to produce stable dry powders with excellent preservation of vaccine activity. The potency of the dried vaccine was then tested while being stored at different temperatures over several week-long periods. The results found that the dry-powdered aerosol was stable for at least eight weeks at 37°C, surpassing the World Health Organization requirement for heat stability of one week at similar storage conditions.

"This study offers hope for developing countries that desperately need more stable and efficient vaccination methods," says Dr. Ohtake. "This new method could potentially offer safer, more affordable and effective treatments to patients that need them the most."

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